Temple stampede: Death toll rises to 109
14102013
Temple stampede: Death toll rises to 109, over 100 injured
| |
| |
At least 109 people were killed and over 100 injured on Sunday in a stampede during Navratri festivities near a temple in Madhya Pradesh’s Datia district triggered by rumours that a river bridge the devotees were crossing was about to collapse.
| |
The state government ordered a judicial inquiry into the mishap which was a shocking re-run of the tragedy at the same site in 2006 when 50 pilgrims were washed away.
Datia district’s Chief Medical Officer (CMO) R S Gupta said autopsies on 109 bodies were conducted till late tonight.
Police earlier said that 89 people, including 31 women and 17 children, were killed in the mishap.
“89 people were killed in the stampede on the bridge over Sindh river leading to the temple at Ratangarh, where lakhs of devotees had congregated, following rumours by some unidentified persons that it was collapsing,” Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police, Chambal Range, D K Arya said.
Arya while noting that the death toll could go up said over 100 people were also injured.
The festivities turned into a tragedy as the devotees from Datia and neighbouring Uttar Pradesh thronged the Durga temple to offer prayers on the occasion of Navratri at Ratangarh, about 60 km from district headquarters here and around 320 km away from the state capital Bhopal.
Unconfirmed reports said that the stampede took place as some people were trying to jump the queue and police used batons to control them.
Arya said nearly 100 people have been injured in the mishap and they have been rushed to nearby hospitals.
Heart-rending scenes were witnessed as anxious relatives searched for their loved ones from the large number of bodies that lay on the bridge.
The irate crowd, protesting over the incident, pelted stones and clashed with the cops following which police used mild lathicharge to disperse them. Amid the chaos, police and local volunteers had a tough time to bring the situation under control.
A sub divisional police officer suffered serious injuries after being hit by stones, the DIG said, adding that some other policemen were also injured.The situation has been brought under control, Arya said.
The state government, with the approval of the State Election Commission in poll-bound MP, has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 1.5 lakh to the kins of those killed in the stampede.
The government also announced an assistance of Rs 50,000 each to the seriously injured and Rs 25,000 each for those who suffered minor injuries in the mishap.
Sonia Gandhi expresses shock, anguish over MP temple mishap
Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Sunday expressed “shock and deep anguish” over the death of more than 64 devotees in a stampede at a temple in Madhya Pradesh.
“Gandhi has expressed shock and deep anguish over the tragic incident in Ratangarh in Datia District of Madhya Pradesh,” an AICC statement quoting the Congress President said.
She extended her condolences to the families who have lost their kin and expressed the hope that the injured are being attended to suitably.
At least 64 people killed and scores of others injured in the stampede near the Durga temple at Ratangarh in Madhya Pradesh’s Datia district where a large number of devotees had gathered for the Navratri festivities.
The mishap was apparently caused by rumours that a bridge the people were crossing was about to collapse. A statement issued by Congress said Sonia Gandhi has been continuously monitoring the developments in wake of the cyclone.
“The Congress party and the government have been and will be doing every thing possible to stand up to any eventuality and every emergent situation” Gandhi said.
Six coloums of Army from Ranchi to Bhubaneshwar and four coloums from Vishakapatnam to districts in Andhra Pradeash have been dispatched and put into action as part of relief and rescue efforts.
In addition, one engineering team of the Army is on the stand by for any eventuality.
NDRF teams comprising trained and professional disaster management personnel have been working in Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal respectively.
The Telecommunication Department has provided 18 satellite phones to Odisha, 16 to Andhra pradesh and 10 to NDRF for communication purposes.
The Cabinet Secretary has been in continuous touch with the Chief secretaries of Odisha and Andhra pradesh with a view to coordinating and assisting relief and reconnaissance efforts.
| |
Edit : Edit
Comments : Leave a Comment »
Categories : Uncategorized
World Energy Congress, Daegu, Korea
14102013
World Energy Congress, Daegu, Korea, 14 October 2013: The world is set to face several significant challenges in balancing global energy needs in addressing the energy trilemma over the next four decades, according to the report, ”World Energy Scenarios: Composing energy futures to 2050”, released today by the World Energy Council at its triennial event, the 2013 World Energy Congress, in Daegu, Korea.
Total primary energy supply is set to increase to 2050 by between 61% and 27%, with fossil fuels remaining the dominant energy source supplying between 77% and 59% of the global primary energy mix.
The report’s conclusions follow a three-year study conducted by over 60 experts from nearly 30 countries, with modelling provided by the Paul Scherrer Institute, Switzerland’s largest research centre for natural and engineering sciences. The report assesses two contrasting policy scenarios, the more consumer-driven Jazz scenario and the more voter-driven Symphony scenario, with a key differentiator being the ability of countries to pass through the Doha Climate Gateway. The WEC scenarios use an explorative approach to assess what is actually happening in the world now, to help gauge what will happen in the future and the real impact of today’s choices on tomorrow’s energy landscape.
Rob Whitney, the New Zealand based Chair of the World Energy Scenarios report, said: “We have been able to bring together an unparalleled team to work on these unique explorative scenarios. Rather than telling policymakers and senior energy leaders what to do in order to achieve a specific policy goal, the WEC’s World Energy Scenarios will allow them to test the key assumptions that they decide to better shape the energy of tomorrow. That’s why these findings are so powerful.”
Under Jazz, total primary energy supply could increase by 61% by 2050, while under Symphony these supplies could rise by only 27%, thus highlighting the impact that choosing one policy solutions or the other can have on the energy sector.
While the share of renewable energy sources in the global energy mix will record the biggest growth to reach 20%in Jazz and 30%in Symphony by 2050, both scenarios show that fossil fuels will remain the dominant resource in the future, accounting for 77% in Jazz and 59% in Symphony.
Transport fuels almost double in Jazz with much of the increase coming from conventional fuels and a switch to natural gas. In Symphony the increase is only 20% with most of the increase being biofuels and electricity.
By 2050, the use of solar for electricity generation is set to increase by up to 225 times over 2010 levels. Currently solar power only accounts for just over 34 TWh/y in the electricity generation mix, but it could provide somewhere between 2,980 TWh and 7,740 TWh in 2050. This equates to between US$2,950 billion and US$9,660 billion of investment in solar, representing the largest potential investment area of any renewable energy resource.
In order to cater to the rising electricity needs generated by economic development to 2050, the WEC estimates that the world will need to invest from US$19 trillion in Jazz to over US$25 trillion in Symphony for electricity generation alone, with the majority of investments required being directed towards solar PV, hydro and wind. Overall, global electricity generation capacity could increase by a slightly higher amount in Jazz than in Symphony, but in Jazz there would be much less investment in renewable electricity generation.
Karl Rose, Senior Director, Policies and Scenarios at the World Energy Council, said: “While there will be opportunities in the future for a range of technology solutions, the ultimate issue is that demand continues to grow at an unsustainable rate. One of the most significant findings in the report is the strong regional variation of priorities and solutions in the energy system. Too often we look at the world as one entity and seek global solutions but the reality is very different and this needs to be recognised.”
While both scenarios see a significant increase in energy access, the rate of increase will remain insufficient. Globally, between 730 million and 880 million people will still be without access to electricity in 2030, predominantly in Sub-Saharan Africa, and this figure would only decrease to 319 million and 530 million people in 2050, according to the report.
The African continent will face the biggest electrification challenge. Asia will account for the largest percentage of total primary energy consumption by 2050, at 48% under Jazz and 45% under Symphony. This compares to around 30% in both Jazz and Symphony for Europe and North America and underlines the major differences that regional priorities will take in building sustainable energy futures.
In terms of curbing CO2 emissions, the Symphony scenario sees the world being able to decrease CO2 emissions to 490-535 parts per million (ppm) by 2050. In contrast, the Jazz scenario will see emissions reach 590-710 ppm over the same period. Both emissions levels are in excess of the 450 ppm CO2 target adopted by many. A significant reduction of CO2emissions is possible after 2020 in the Symphony scenario; however, it still leaves the emissions almost at double the amount with regards to the objective of halving emissions compared to 1990 levels.
The WEC further sees that at worst, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions could be up to four times higher than the objective of halving emissions compared to 1990 levels.
Christoph Frei, Secretary General of the World Energy Council, concluded: “At a time of unprecedented uncertainty these Scenarios provide a stark warning to our energy future. Jazz and Symphony highlight the need for clear and robust policy frameworks that reduce political risk, the need for urgent focus in technology development and demonstration in electricity storage and CCS, and the need to manage our carbon budget and minimise our water footprint. Our findings challenge our understanding of and current ability to deliver the resilient infrastructure that we need to face the changes we expect to occur over the coming decades.”
At the World Energy Congress the World Energy Council has also confirmed that Ged Davis, President and CEO of Forescene, will succeed Rob Whitney who has served as Executive Chair of the World Energy Scenarios since the last World Energy Congress. Davis will oversee the next phase of the study as the WEC rolls out its open-source Scenarios project and will guide a range of deep-dive assessments.
The full findings of the “World Energy Scenarios: Composing energy futures to 2050” study are made available free of charge via the World Energy Council’s website www.worldenergy.org/publications.
ENDS
About the World Energy Council (WEC)
Founded in 1923, the World Energy Council is the only truly global and inclusive forum for thought-leadership and tangible engagement committed to our sustainable energy future. Our network of 93 national committees represents over 3,000 member organizations including governments, industry and expert institutions. Our mission is to promote the sustainable supply and use of energy for the greatest benefit of all. The World Energy Congress is the world’s premier energy gathering.
Further details at www.worldenergy.org and @WECouncil
About the World Energy Congress
The World Energy Congress is the triennial flagship event of the World Energy Council. It has gained recognition since the first event in 1924 as the premier global forum for leaders and thinkers to debate solutions to energy issues. In addition to the discussions, the event provides an opportunity for executives to display their technologies and explore business opportunities. With the upcoming Congress in Daegu the event will have been held in 20 major cities around the world since its founding.
Further details at www.daegu2013.kr and @WECongress
Edit : Edit
Comments : Leave a Comment »
Categories : Uncategorized
14102013
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
Edit : Edit
Comments : Leave a Comment »
Categories : Uncategorized
Franchise India 2013 on October 19-20, 2013, at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.
14102013
Dear NK,
Greetings from Franchise India!
It is my great pleasure to invite you as my Special Guest to our flagship show – Franchise India 2013 on October 19-20, 2013, at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.
Franchise India started its journey 16 years ago on the premise that franchising can build partnerships between entrepreneurs and business enterprise. At Franchise India we feel that for true blood entrepreneurs, better results, stronger relationships and life’s deeper rewards, all come from learning to think bigger and to persevere despite all odds. Today at a time when most of us have been running our business for several years, we still feel restless and curious for new ideas, we are on the look out for creative opportunities and remain tempted to stretch out and try new things. We are all scanning across diverse business propositions and opportunities, in pursuit of the question: How we can do more with our core business and form alliances that ensure we could offer more to our customers.
In its 11th year Franchise India 2013 is the marquee business event that combines India’s biggest business and trade show with a leading set of conferences on Entrepreneurship, Franchise and Brand Licensing. Franchise India is greatly patronized both by domestic and international business fraternity including entrepreneurs, investors, franchisors, franchisees, retailers and licensors, manufacturers and distributors. Everybody is coming together, under one roof, to connect and create new businesses associations. With over 500+ businesses opportunities, 100+ master franchise and multi-unit franchise ideas, 50+ new international concepts getting launched, licensing and distribution opportunities – Franchise India 2013 enables start-ups and builds growth in mature business by sharing business best practices around raising capital and getting business loans, experts advising on real estate solutions and much more. Please visit www.expo.franchiseindia.com to get full impact of the show and the conference and other Business initiatives.
In our years of Association and Knowing you as a growth focused business person, I am confident that the scope of business networking at Franchise India 2013 would create new Business avenues for you . I invite you and would warmly welcome you to spend some time across the two days of the show. Please Plan to at least a couple of hours to derive optimum benefit from your visit.
I would request you to please RSVP your confirmation to Hema Arora at hema.arora@franchiseindia.netor call her at 07838888759 so we could send you a VIP All Access Show pass for hassle free entry to the show.
I look forward to welcoming you and meeting you at the event.
Thanks & Regards
Gaurav Marya
Chairman, Franchise India
Chairman, Franchise India
Edit : Edit
Comments : Leave a Comment »
Categories : Uncategorized
MIGUEL AND MAHINDRA MAKE RACING HISTORY IN MALAYSIA
14102013
Sepang, Malaysia, October 13, 2013: Portuguese rider Miguel Oliveira made history for India’s first and only motorcycle constructor in international motorcycle racing today, fighting back from a weak start to claim a first-ever top-three podium finish for Mahindra’s MGP3O Moto3™ racer.
The 18-year-old from Pragal qualified on the second row, but bogged down off the line, near the back of 32 riders into the first turn, and finished the first lap in 14th place. But he was already cutting his way through, and by lap five was with the big leading group and still gaining places. On lap three, he set a new lap record, for the third time this year.
By the mid-point of the 18-lap, 99.864-km race at the Sepang circuit outside the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur, Miguel was moving to fourth in a fearsome close group, and then to third. But positions were changing from corner to corner as the top championship contenders fought tooth and nail.
There were still six in contention as they started a thrilling last lap. Oliveira fought like a tiger to retain third place, the first rostrum for the MGP3O in its first season of racing. The 250cc single-cylinder machine, still in its first year of development, was designed and built in record time over the winter, and has threatened the top machines ever since its debut.
Miguel was just 0.408 seconds behind winner Luis Salom (KTM). The first six crossed the line within just over one second.
The podium has been tantalising the team all season. Oliveira has qualified on pole position at earlier races, and has been fourth on three occasions.
Team-mate Efrén Vázquez made a flying start from eighth on the grid, and was holding his own in the leading pack, and fighting for position when he slipped off on a slow corner, remounting only to retire.
The result is a historic achievement for Mahindra and for India, and a valuable boost for the championship. Miguel has closed to within six points of a top-five position. Mahindra has also gained ground on second place in the Constructors’ championship, just five points off second place.
The next race, the second of three in a row, is the Australian Grand Prix at Phillip Island next Sunday.
In another important step for the team, Mahindra Racing has also signed a new agreement to add another pair of Mahindra MGP3O machines to the Moto3™ grid in 2014. French team CIP Moto3 will run two of the Swiss-built, Indian racers in the ultra-competitive grand-prix class.
The deal means that six of the competitive prototype 250cc single-cylinder Mahindra race bikes are scheduled to be on the grid in 2014, with CIP joining the official Mahindra Racing entry as well as Ambrogio Racing. The Ambrogio team became Mahindra’s first racing customer in September when South African Brad Binder and Germany’s Luca Amato switched to the MGP3O for the remainder of this season.
MIGUEL OLIVEIRA – Third Place
“After the start I made I didn’t expect the podium! I knew I could do it, but I had to recover a lot of time, and take a lot of risks in the first laps, in the braking areas and also with corner speed. This is not easy on the tyres, so in the last laps it was really hard to control the bike. I think Mahindra and the team deserve this podium, and I think more. With the end of the championship coming up the leading riders will feel the pressure, and we can try to take advantage of that.
“Phillip Island is a nice track, where you don’t need so much engine power. It’s always windy, and it depends on the compromise you can make with the frame and on aerodynamics, my position on the bike. There are a lot of long corners and banked corners and also hard braking, and I can gain time there. I was second there last year, so I’m looking forward to going back.”
EFRÉN VÁZQUEZ – Did Not Finish
“I had a good start and I was trying to push from the beginning. This is a difficult track because the other bikes are much slower on corner entry, they block the way so you lose speed on the straights. I was trying to brake a little harder to gain places, and I lost the front wheel. It was a little crash, but unfortunately something on the bike broke, and I couldn’t restart.
“We’ll see in the next race: I think Phillip Island should be good for Mahindra – our bike is very good in fast corners.”
MUFADDAL CHOONIA – CEO, Mahindra Racing
“This is a red-letter day in Indian motor sport history – the first time ever that a motorcycle developed by an Indian company has finished on the podium at the highest level of motor sport. I sincerely congratulate and appreciate the efforts of Miguel and the entire Mahindra Racing team, who played a leading part in creating this moment of racing history.
“Now the next goal: we look forward to winning grand prix races.”
About Mahindra Racing
Mahindra Racing became the first Indian team to participate in the FIM MotoGP™ World Motorcycle Racing Championship in 2011 and the Italian National Motorcycle Racing Championship (CIV) in 2012.
Competing in the Moto3™ class in MotoGP, Mahindra Racing entered the 2013 season with its own new 4-stroke, single-cylinder, 250cc, motorcycle: the Mahindra MGP3O developed with respected Swiss firm Suter Racing Technology AG. Experienced Spanish rider Efrén Vázquez (27, from Bilbao) is teamed with exciting Portuguese teenager Miguel Oliveira (18, from Pragal near Lisbon). The team has been recording consistent Top 5 finishes and has already achieved a pole position and two circuit lap records in the World Championship. The team continues to be in the Top 3 in the Constructors’ rankings.
In the 2012 CIV season, Mahindra Racing competed in the 125 GP Class and became the first team from India to win an international motorsport event, eventually recording six victories from eight races and securing the Constructors’ Title. In the 2013 CIV season, the team entered the Moto3 (250cc – 4 stroke) class with talented riders Andrea Locatelli (16, from Alzano Lombardo) and Michael Rinaldi (17, from Rimini, Emilia-Romagna) and made motorsport history by winning the prestigious Constructors’ Title for the second consecutive year. Both Locatelli and Rinaldi finished the season in first and second place with 167 and 145 points respectively.
Breaking new ground as an Indian Constructor, Mahindra Racing made history in Indian automotive engineering, when Ambrogio Racing – a team in the Moto3TM World Championship decided to switch to the MGP3O racing bikes, becoming Mahindra Racing’s first customer.
Mahindra’s bold decision to take on the world’s best at the highest level of motorcycle racing won the team prestigious awards such as the ‘ZigWheels Motorsport Award of the Year, 2012’, and the NDTV Car and Bike Awards ‘Mobil 1 Motorsport Award of the Year, 2012’.
For further information please visit: www.mahindraracing.com.
About Mahindra
The Mahindra Group focuses on enabling people to rise through solutions that power mobility, drive rural prosperity, enhance urban lifestyles and increase business efficiency.
A USD 16.2 billion multinational group based in Mumbai, India, Mahindra employs more than 155,000 people in over 100 countries. Mahindra operates in the key industries that drive economic growth, enjoying a leadership position in tractors, utility vehicles, after-market, information technology and vacation ownership. In addition, Mahindra enjoys a strong presence in the agribusiness, aerospace, components, consulting services, defence, energy, financial services, industrial equipment, logistics, real estate, retail, steel, commercial vehicles and two wheeler industries.
In 2012, Mahindra featured on the Forbes Global 2000 list, a listing of the biggest and most powerful listed companies in the world. In 2013, the Mahindra Group received the Financial Times ‘Boldness in Business’ Award in the ‘Emerging Markets’ category.
Edit : Edit
Comments : Leave a Comment »
Categories : Uncategorized
Orlando Theme Parks Join Florida Huddle 2014
14102013
VISIT FLORIDA re-energizes state’s premier travel trade show
India, 14th October 2013– Florida’s world-renowned theme parks in Orlando will return in 2014 to the state’s premier travel trade show, Florida Huddle, now owned and operated by VISIT FLORIDA.
The expanded, redesigned show, set for Jan. 14-16, 2014, in Palm Beach County, is gaining new and former participants enthused about revised platforms allowing buyers and suppliers to schedule their meetings earlier and more effectively than ever before — a popular improvement implemented by VISIT FLORIDA.
Will Seccombe, VISIT FLORIDA President and CEO, announced that Walt Disney World Reosrt, Universal Orlando and SeaWorld Orlando will all be participating in the 38th annual Florida Huddle for the first time in several years.
“With our reinvention of Florida Huddle, we’re proud to welcome back these three Strategic Alliance Partners to help showcase Florida to the world,” Seccombe said.
Since acquiring the trade show last year, VISIT FLORIDA has been assembling new functionality to better serve the needs of buyers, suppliers and travel media.
Key points about VISIT FLORIDA’s Florida Huddle:
n Expanded opportunities for appointments, allowing two full days of one-on-one meetings between buyers and suppliers
n Appointment scheduling to begin weeks earlier than in years past, for more effective planning
n New platform for media to schedule appointments with buyers and suppliers
n Increased attention to niche buyers, such as destination weddings and incentive travel
n State-of-the-art conference site at the Palm Beach County Convention Center
n Full range of digital and support services provided by VISIT FLORIDA
n Opening night festivities at The Breakers Palm Beach, a Florida icon built by tycoon Henry Flagler, father of Florida tourism
For more information about Florida Huddle 2014:
n @FloridaHuddle
Media contact at VISIT FLORIDA headquarters:
Laura Cassels, lcassels@VISITFLORIDA.org
Laura Cassels, lcassels@VISITFLORIDA.org
No comments:
Post a Comment